in-cyprus 8 March 2025
A coalition of international organisations has escalated efforts to challenge the presence of British military bases in Cyprus, as well as condemn their involvement in the war on Gaza. Coordinated protests have been organised in both Cyprus and the UK.
In a statement, the organisers state that “The mobilisation takes place following research by Genocide-Free Cyprus regarding British and American military flight activities and their auxiliary involvement of the bases during the Israeli military attack on Gaza”.
The “UK-US: Bases Off Cyprus” campaign, which formally launched in February with a virtual event, will stage simultaneous demonstrations on March 9 at RAF Akrotiri in Limassol (15:30), Cyprus, and the UK Ministry of Defence in London (13:30).
The initiative brings together diverse advocacy groups including CODEPINK, Genocide-Free Cyprus, Stop the War Coalition, and United for Palestine (Cyprus), focusing on what they describe as the problematic role of British Sovereign Base Areas (SBAs) in facilitating military operations.
The coalition comprises multiple organisations including Genocide-Free Cyprus, CODEPINK, Stop the War Coalition, United for Palestine, Palestinian Youth Movement, Far Right Watch, Peace & Justice Project, Cyprus Peace Council, afoa, and Spirithkia.
“A longstanding remnant of British colonial rule, these bases serve as strategic hubs for UK and US military operations, contributing to instability across the Middle East and Eastern Mediterranean,” the campaign stated in its announcement.
Matt Kennard, former head of investigations at Declassified UK and a prominent voice in the campaign, characterised RAF Akrotiri as “a central node in the Anglo-American empire and its control of the Middle East” during the initiative’s launch event.
The coalition has outlined several key demands, including the immediate cessation of surveillance flights over Palestinian territories, the release of surveillance footage to the International Criminal Court, and ultimately the complete withdrawal of British and American forces from Cyprus.
Former Labour party leader Jeremy Corbyn has reportedly called for an independent inquiry into Britain’s activities related to the genocide in Gaza.
Historical context
British military presence in Cyprus dates back to 1878 when the United Kingdom received Cyprus as a protectorate from the Ottoman Empire in exchange for the UK’s military support against Russia. When Cyprus gained independence in 1960, the UK retained sovereignty over approximately 98 square miles of territory for military bases at Akrotiri and Dhekelia.
These installations have remained operational for over six decades, serving various strategic purposes throughout the Cold War era and more recent Middle Eastern conflicts, including the war in Gaza and NATO’s fight against the Houthis in Yemen.
Defence ministry officials from the UK have consistently maintained that these bases operate in accordance with international law and bilateral agreements with Cyprus.
